Advanced features on a real-time exchange system

ABSTRACT

A real-time exchange (RTX) interfaces to a wireless communications system to provide enhanced features for advanced voice services (AVS), which include Voice Activated Floor Management, Voice Short Message Services (SMS) and Address Book Backup.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional under 35 U.S.C. Section 121 ofco-pending and commonly-assigned U.S. Utility patent application Ser.No. 11/740,805, filed on Apr. 26, 2007, by Krishnakant M. Patel,Giridhar K. Boray, Ravi Ayyasamy, and Gorachand Kundu, entitled“ADVANCED FEATURES ON A REAL-TIME EXCHANGE SYSTEM,” attorneys' docketnumber 154.26-US-U1, which application claims the benefit under 35U.S.C. Section 119(e) of co-pending and commonly-assigned U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/795,090, filed on Apr. 26,2006, by Krishnakant M. Patel, Giridhar K. Boray, Ravi Ayyasamy, andGorachand Kundu, entitled “ADVANCED FEATURES ON A REAL-TIME EXCHANGESYSTEM,” attorneys' docket number 154.26-US-P1, both of whichapplications are incorporated by reference herein.

This application is related to the following co-pending andcommonly-assigned patent applications:

U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 10/515,556, filed Nov. 23, 2004, byGorachand Kundu, Ravi Ayyasamy and Krishnakant Patel, entitled “DISPATCHSERVICE ARCHITECTURE FRAMEWORK,” attorney docket number G&C 154.4-US-WO,which application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 365 ofP.C.T. International Patent Application Serial Number PCT/US03/16386(154.4-WO-U1), which application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.Section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos.60/382,981 (154.3-US-P1), 60/383,179 (154.4-US-P1) and 60/407,168(154.5-US-P1);

U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 10/564,903, filed Jan. 17, 2006, by F.Craig Farrill, Bruce D. Lawler and Krishnakant M. Patel, entitled“PREMIUM VOICE SERVICES FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS,” attorneydocket number G&C 154.7-US-WO, which application claims the benefitunder 35 U.S.C. Section 365 of P.C.T. International Patent ApplicationSer. No. PCT/USO4/23038 (154.7-WO-U1), which application claims thebenefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. Nos. 60/488,638 (154.7-US-P1), 60/492,650 (154.8-US-P1)and 60/576,094 (154.14-US-P1) and which application is acontinuation-in-part and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Sections119, 120 and/or 365 of P.C.T. International Patent Application SerialNumber PCT/US03/16386 (154.4-WO-U1);

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/126,587, filed May 11, 2005, by RaviAyyasamy and Krishnakant M. Patel, entitled “ARCHITECTURE, CLIENTSPECIFICATION AND APPLICATION PROGRAMMING INTERFACE (API) FOR SUPPORTINGADVANCED VOICE SERVICES (AVS) INCLUDING PUSH TO TALK ON WIRELESS MS 120AND NETWORKS,” attorney docket number 154.9-US-U1, now U.S. Pat. No.7,738,892, issued Jun. 15, 2010, which application claims the benefitunder 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. Nos. 60/569,953 (154.9-US-P1) and 60/579,309 (154.15-US-P1), andwhich application is a continuation-in-part and claims the benefit under35 U.S.C. Sections 119, 120 and/or 365 of U.S. Utility patentapplication Ser. No. 10/515,556 (154.4-US-WO) and P.C.T. InternationalPatent Application Ser. No. PCT/USO4/23038 (154.7-WO-U1);

U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/129,268, filed May 13, 2005,by Krishnakant M. Patel, Gorachand Kundu, Ravi Ayyasamy and Basem Ardah,entitled

“ROAMING GATEWAY FOR SUPPORT OF ADVANCED VOICE SERVICES WHILE ROAMING INWIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS,” attorney docket number 154.10-US-U1,now U.S. Pat. No. 7,403,775, issued Jul. 22, 2008, which applicationclaims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/571,075 (154.10-US-P1), and whichapplication is a continuation-in-part and claims the benefit under 35U.S.C. Sections 119, 120 and/or 365 of U.S. Utility patent applicationSer. No. 10/515,556 (154.4-US-WO) and P.C.T. International PatentApplication Ser. No. PCT/USO4/23038 (154.7-WO-U1);

U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/134,883, filed May 23, 2005,by Krishnakant Patel, Vyankatesh V. Shanbhag, Ravi Ayyasamy, Stephen R.Horton and Shan-Jen Chiou, entitled “ADVANCED VOICE SERVICESARCHITECTURE FRAMEWORK,” attorney docket number 154.11-US-U1, now U.S.Patent No. 7,764,950, issued Jul. 27, 2010, which application claims thebenefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. Nos. 60/573,059 (154.11-US-P1) and 60/576,092(154.12-US-P1), and which application is a continuation-in-part andclaims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Sections 119, 120 and/or 365 of U.S.Utility patent application Ser. No. 10/515,556 (154.4-US-W0), P.C.T.International Patent Application Ser. No. PCT/USO4/23038 (154.7-WO-U1),U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/126,587 (154.9-US-U1), andU.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/129,268 (154.10-US-U1);

U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/136,233, filed May 24, 2005,by Krishnakant M. Patel, Vyankatesh Vasant Shanbhag, and AnandNarayanan, entitled “SUBSCRIBER INFORMATION MODULE (SIM) ENABLINGADVANCED VOICE SERVICES (AVS) INCLUDING PUSH TO TALK ON WIRELESS MS 120AND NETWORKS,” attorney docket number 154.13-US-U1, now U.S. Pat. No.7,738,896, issued Jun. 15, 2010, which application claims the benefitunder 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/573,780 (154.13-US-P1), and which application is acontinuation-in-part and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Sections119, 120 and/or 365 of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No.10/515,556 (154.4-US-WO), P.C.T. International Patent Application SerialNumber PCT/USO4/23038 (154.7-WO-U1), U.S. Utility patent applicationSer. No. 11/126,587 (154.9-US-U1), and U.S. Utility patent applicationSer. No. 11/134,883 (154.11-US-U1);

U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/158,527, filed Jun. 22,2005, by F. Craig Farrill, entitled “PRESS-TO-CONNECT FOR WIRELESSCOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS,” attorney docket number 154.16-US-U1, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,529,557, issued May 5, 2009, which application claims thebenefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/581,954 (154.16-US-P1), and which application isa continuation-in-part and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Sections119, 120 and/or 365 of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No.10/515,556 (154.4-US-WO) and P.C.T. International Patent ApplicationSerial Number PCT/USO4/23038 (154.7-WO-U1); U.S. Utility patentapplication Ser. No. 11/183,516, filed Jul. 18, 2005, by DeepankarBiswaas, entitled “VIRTUAL PUSH TO TALK (PTT) AND PUSH TO SHARE (PTS)FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS,” attorney docket number154.17-US-U1, which application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.Section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.60/588,464 (154.17-US-P1); U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No.11/356,775, filed Feb. 17, 2006, by Krishnakant M. Patel, Bruce D.Lawler, Giridhar K. Boray, and Brahmananda R. Vempati, entitled“ENHANCED FEATURES IN AN ADVANCED VOICE SERVICES (AVS) FRAMEWORK FORWIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS,” attorney docket number 154.18-US-U1,now U.S. Pat. No. 7,813,722, issued Oct. 12, 2010, which applicationclaims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/654,271(154.18-US-P1);

P.C.T. International Patent Application Serial Number PCT/US2006/011628,filed Mar. 30, 2006, by Krishnakant M. Patel, Gorachand Kundu, SameerDharangaonkar, Giridhar K. Boray, and Deepankar Biswas, entitled“TECHNIQUE FOR IMPLEMENTING ADVANCED VOICE SERVICES USING ANUNSTRUCTURED SUPPLEMENTARY SERVICE DATA (USSD) INTERFACE,” attorneydocket number 154.19-WO-U1, which application claims the benefit under35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.60/666,424 (154.19-US-P1);

U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/462,332, filed Aug. 3, 2006,by Deepankar Biswas, Krishnakant M. Patel, Giridhar K. Boray, andGorachand Kundu, entitled “ARCHITECTURE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF CLOSEDUSER GROUP AND LIMITING MOBILITY IN WIRELESS NETWORKS,” attorney docketnumber 154.20-US-U1, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,689,238, issued Mar. 30, 2010,which application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/705,115 (154.20-US-P1);

U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/463,186 , filed Aug. 8,2006, by Ravi Ayyasamy and Krishnakant M. Patel, entitled “ADVANCEDVOICE SERVICES CLIENT FOR BREW PLATFORM,” attorney docket number154.21-US-U1, which application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.Section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.60/706,265 (154.21-US-P1);

U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/567,098, filed Dec. 5, 2006,by Ravi Ayyasamy, Bruce D. Lawler, Krishnakant M. Patel, Vyankatesh V.Shanbhag, Brahmananda R. Vempati, and Ravi Shankar Kumar, entitled“INSTANT MESSAGING INTERWORKING IN AN ADVANCED VOICE SERVICES (AVS)FRAMEWORK FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS,” attorney docket number154.23-US-U1, which application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.Section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.60/795,090 (154.23-US-P1);

all of which applications are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates in general to wireless communications systems,and more specifically, to enhanced features for advanced voice serviceswireless communications systems.

2. Description of Related Art

Advanced voice services (AVS), such as two-way half-duplex voice callswithin a group, also known as Push-to-Talk (PTT) or Press-to-Talk (P2T),as well as other AVS functions, such as Push-to-Conference (P2C) orInstant Conferencing, Upgrade to Conference, Push-to-Message (P2M),etc., are described in the co-pending and commonly-assigned patentapplications cross-referenced above and incorporated by referenceherein. These AVS functions have enormous revenue earnings potential forwireless communications systems, such as cellular networks and personalcommunications systems (PCS) networks.

Currently, there are three major approaches employed in providingadvanced voice services in wireless communications systems. One approachrequires the installation of a dedicated private network, parallel tothe wireless communications system, to support the group-based voiceservices. NEXTEL uses such a system, based on a solution developed byMOTOROLA known as IDEN. However, a dedicated private network is costlyto install and maintain and is employed by a few public wirelesscarriers. Also, the IDEN system is non-standard, and hence cannot beused in standard wireless communications networks, such as those basedon GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) and CDMA (Code DivisionMultiple Access).

Another approach is based on Voice over IP (VoIP) technologies. Whilethis approach promises compliance with newer and emerging standards,such as GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), UMTS (Universal MobileTelecommunications System), etc., it does not provide a solution forcarriers employing wireless communications systems based on existingstandards, such as GSM, CDMA, etc. However, even for the newerstandards, solutions based on VoIP have serious drawbacks, includingslower call setup, significant overhead, increased susceptibility topacket losses, low bit rate voice coders, and significant modificationsto the mobile handset. There is a need, instead, for solutions thatrequire only minimal upgrades to the handset.

Still another approach is that defined in the co-pending andcommonly-assigned patent applications cross-referenced above andincorporated by reference herein. In this approach, advanced voiceservices are provided by a dispatch gateway (DG) or real-time exchange(RTX) that interfaces to the wireless communications system to providethe advanced voice services therein, wherein both the dispatch gatewayand mobiles that use the advanced voice services communicate with eachother using call setup and in-band signaling within the wirelesscommunications system.

Notwithstanding these innovations, there is a need in the art for otheradvanced voice services that comply with existing and emerging wirelessstandards and provide superior user experiences. The present inventionaims to satisfy this need by providing enhanced features in advancedvoice services for wireless communications systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome the limitations in the prior art described above, and toovercome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading andunderstanding the present specification, the present invention disclosesenhanced features for advanced voice services for wirelesscommunications systems. A real-time exchange (RTX) interfaces to thewireless communications system to provide these enhanced features forthe advanced voice services, which include Voice Activated FloorManagement, Voice Short Message Services (SMS) and Address Book Backup.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers representcorresponding parts throughout:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary embodiment ofthe dispatch services architecture framework according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates the architecture of thereal-time exchange according to the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 illustrates the architecture used by the present invention inleveraging the underlying voice recognition systems of a wirelesscommunications network; FIG. 4 is a state diagram that illustrates theoperation of a Push-to-Talk (PTT) call according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a system architecture for the Voice Short MessageSystem (SMS) service according to the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description of the preferred embodiment, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in whichis shown by way of illustration the specific embodiment in which theinvention may be practiced. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized as structural changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

Overview

The present invention describes a wireless communications network thatis used for making calls to and from mobile units, wherein the calls areinitiated by call setup and in-band signaling within the wirelesscommunications network and voice frames for the calls are switchedbetween the mobile units across bearer paths in the wirelesscommunications network. A real-time exchange interfaces to the wirelesscommunications network to provide an advanced features for use withadvanced voice service (AVS) for the wireless communications network.Specifically, the advanced features for AVS comprises Voice ActivatedFloor Management, Voice Short Message Services (SMS) and Address BookBackup.

Network Architecture

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary embodiment of awireless communications network 100 according to a preferred embodimentof the present invention for making calls to and from mobile units.

Within the network 100, an RTX (Real-Time Exchange) 102, previouslyknown as a Dispatch Gateway (DG), communicates with a MSC (MobileSwitching Center) 104 and PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) 106using SS7-ISUP/WIN/CAMEL (Signaling System 7—Integrated Services DigitalNetwork User Part/Wireless Intelligent Network/Customized Applicationsfor Mobile Enhanced Logic) messages at a signaling plane 108.

A bearer path 110 implements a TDM (Time Division Multiplexing)interface carrying PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) or TFO (Tandem FreeOperation) voice frames. Support for TFO in this path 110 is negotiatedbetween a BSC (Base Station Controller) 112 and the RTX 102 for eachoriginating and terminating leg of an AVS call. The use of TFO ensureshigh voice quality (as voice vocoder conversion is avoided) betweenmobile-to-mobile calls.

When a subscriber originates an AVS call, the MSC 104 routes the call tothe RTX 102. The MSC 104 also requests the BSC 112 via 116 to establisha radio traffic path 118 with a mobile station (MS) 120 (also known as ahandset or mobile unit) via the BTS (Base

Transceiver Station) 122 (as it does for a normal cellular call). Atthis time, the BSC 112 tries to negotiate TFO (if it is supported) on aTDM link with the far end (in this case, the RTX 102).

At the same time (after the MSC 104 terminates the group call request tothe RTX 102), the RTX 102 identifies the terminating group users andtheir MS-ISDN (Mobile Station—Integrated Services Digital Network)numbers. It sends an ISUP call origination request for each terminatingMS 120. It may send requests directly to the MSC 104, PSTN 106 or IPnetwork 124 via a PDSN (Public Data Switched Network) 126, Router 128,and/or Internet/Intranet 130, depending on the routing tableconfiguration for terminating MS-ISDN numbers.

Once the bearer path 110 is established, the RTX 102 begins anegotiation with the far end (in this case, the terminating BSC 112) foreach terminating leg to an MS 120.

Once bearer paths 110 are established for originating and terminatinglegs for an AVS call, the RTX 102 switches (or duplicates) voice framesfrom the originating MS 120 to all terminating MS's 120.

The RTX 102 may use an IP network 124 or the Internet/Intranet 130 fortwo different purposes. The IP network 124 or the Internet/Intranet 130can be used in a toll bypass mode where two RTXs 102 can exchange voicetraffic bypassing the PSTN 106. However, each RTX 102 is responsible forterminating traffic to its closest MSC 104. In this case, the IP network124 or the Internet/Intranet 130 is used as a backbone transport ofvoice traffic between two RTXs 102.

The IP network 124 or the Internet/Intranet 130 can also be used for aregistration and presence application. Since the MSC 104 will not directa registration request from an MS 120 to the RTX 102 (because it wouldrequire changes in the MSC 104), the latter does not have anyinformation of the registered MS 120. To circumvent this issue, aregistration and presence application runs over an IP stack in the MS120. After the MS 120 registers for a data interface (i.e., obtaining anIP address) with the PDSN 126 (or Serving GSM Service Nodes (SGSN) inthe case of GSM networks), the registration and presence application inthe MS 120 registers with the RTX 102 using its IP address. The RTX 102also uses this IP interface to update the presence information of othergroup members to an MS 120.

An alternative embodiment would use the SMS (Short Message Service)transport to carry presence messages over a data channel. The RTX 102interacts with the MS 120 using predefined presence application relatedmessages that are transported as SMS messages. The same messages can betransported via the PDSN 126 interface, if group users have dataservice.

Real Time Exchange

FIG. 2 illustrates a proposed architecture for the RTX 102 according tothe preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The architecture includes a Call Processing system 200, Presence Server202, Real-Time Event Processing system 204, one or more Media Managers206, and an SMPP (Short Message Peer-to-Peer) Transport 208, as well asmodules for various SS7 protocols, such as MTP-1 (Message Transfer PartLevel 1) 210, MTP-2 (Message Transfer Part Level 2) 212, MTP-3 (MessageTransfer Part Level 3) 214, ISUP (Integrated Services Digital NetworkUser Part) 216, SCCP (Signaling Connection Control Part) 218, and TCAP(Transactions Capabilities Application Part) 220 protocols.

The Call Processing system 200, Presence Server 202, Media Managers 204,SMPP Transport 206, and other modules communicate across an IP network222. The Real-Time Event Processing system 204 communicates directlywith the Call Processing system 200, Presence Server 202, and themodules for various SS7 protocols. The modules for various SS7 protocolscommunicate with other entities via a SS7 Signaling Link 224. The SMPPTransport 206 communicates with a SMSC (Short Message Service Center)gateway using the SMPP protocol 226. The Media Managers 204 communicateamong themselves using the H.110 protocol 228 (or some other protocol,such TCP/IP).

The operation of these various components are described in more detailbelow, as well as in the co-pending and commonly-assigned patentapplications cross-referenced above and incorporated by referenceherein.

The originating MS 120 signals the RTX 102 via the wireless network 100,e.g., by transmitting one or more configured DTMF (Dual Tone MultiFrequency) digits or other signals to the RTX 102. The Media Managersystems 206 receive the DTMF digits or other signals, and pass the DTMFdigits or other signals to the Call Processing system 200. The CallProcessing (CP) system 200 determines whether the originating MS 120 hassubscribed to the AVS feature before originating the AVS session. Uponconfirmation, the Call Processing system 200 initiates a new AVSsession. The Call Processing system 200 interacts with the PresenceServer 202 and Real-Time Event Processing system 204 to cause thewireless network 100 to perform session setup for the AVS session, andthereafter to manage the AVS session.

During the AVS session, for example, the Call Processing system 200interacts with the Media Manager systems 206 to maintain the H.110channels 227 and assign any additional H.110 channels 228 required forthe AVS session, which may span across multiple Media Manager systems206. Moreover, the Media Manager systems 206 of the RTX 102 may be used,for example, to mix audio streams between the originating MS 120 and theterminating MS 120, and then deliver these mixed audio streams to theoriginating MS 120 and the terminating MS 120. The H.110 channels 228are used for passing mixed and unmixed audio streams voice between theMedia Manager systems 200 as required.

Voice Portal Integration

In one embodiment, the enhanced features comprise voice recognitionservices for enhancing the calls to and from the MS 120. These featuresare provided using a voice portal. Voice portals provide telephone userswith a natural language interface to access and retrieve network 100services. Typically, voice portals are based on speaker-independentspeech recognition technologies. Hence, this solution also appliesequally well to AVS-enabled handsets and non-AVS-enabled handsets,including landline phones.

For example, voice portals have been extensively used for 1-800directory enquiry, flight information, etc., and have matured over theyears with improved speech recognition accuracy. In addition, the adventof standard voice scripting language, such as VoiceXML, has fueledgrowth of voice portal services just as HTML did for web services.

Additional information concerning voice portals can be found in U.S.Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/356,775, filed Feb. 17, 2006, byKrishnakant M. Patel, Bruce D. Lawler, Giridhar K. Boray, andBrahmananda R. Vempati, entitled “ENHANCED FEATURES IN AN ADVANCED VOICESERVICES (AVS) FRAMEWORK FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS,” attorneydocket number 154.18-US-U1, which application claims the benefit under35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application SerialNumber 60/654,271(154.18-US-P1), which applications are incorporated byreference herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates the architecture used by the present invention inleveraging the underlying voice recognition systems of a wirelesscommunications network 100. In this embodiment, the RTX 102 interfacesto one or more Voice Portals (VPs) 300, as well as an Integrated Localand Transit (ILT) switch 302. The ILT 302 also interfaces to the VP 400via a Media Gateway (MG) 404. In addition, the RTX 102 interfaces to theMSC 104 through the ILT 402 (or interfaces directly to the MSC 104 asshown in FIG. 1) to control call signaling, as well as voice framebuffering and duplication.

The integration of the RTX 102 with a standard VP 300 opens up unlimitedpossibilities to expand the reach of AVS. Moreover, the integration ofthe RTX 102 with the VP 300 eliminates the need for a client in the MS120.

Consider the example where the voice recognition services are used toinvoke PTT services within a group of MS 120 identified in the RTX 102.The typical scenario comprises the following:

-   -   the user dials a pre-determined code on the MS 120 to access the        VP 300,    -   the MS 120 receives a confirmation tone from the VP 300,    -   the user inputs a voice command on the MS 120 (for example, by        saying “call friends”) to invoke a PTT call with a group        identified as “friends” in the RTX 102,    -   the VP 300 performs speech recognition and sends the decoded        message to the RTX 102, and    -   the RTX 102 places the PTT call to the chosen group.

Voice Activated Floor Management

In the present invention, the RTX 102 interfaces to the wirelesscommunications network 100 to provide a half-duplex Push-to-Talk (PTT)session between an initiator and two or more other participants, whereinboth the TX 102 and MS 120 participating in the PTT session communicatewith each other using call setup and in-band signaling within thewireless communications network 100. The other participants comprise oneor more contacts, one or more groups of contacts, or a subset of a groupof contacts.

In other embodiments, for example as described in the cross-referencedapplications set forth above, PTT is a command-and-control service thatrequires every participant in a multi-party call to have purpose-builthandsets with a designated PTT button and a speaker. The PTT button aidsin acquisition and release of floor in half-duplex, multi-partyconversations. However, the requirement of having every user withspecial purpose handsets severely restricts the reach of this service,and thus there is a need for a solution that would apply to all terminaldevices.

The present invention provides a solution for PTT floor management basedon voice activity detection (VAD) in the RTX 102, with or without thevoice recognition services of the VP 300. Specifically, the voiceactivity detection aids in acquisition and release of the floor of thePTT session, wherein the voice activity detection is based on detectinga level of voice activity from the initiator or other participants.

Floor management of the PTT session performed using voice activitydetection obviates the need for purpose-built PTT handsets. In addition,the use of voice activity detection to perform floor management is alsoa natural way of controlling the floor.

There are a number of user benefits to this approach. For example, thereis no need to purchase a purpose-built PTT handset. Moreover, there isno need to press and hold a PTT button while speaking.

There are also a number of network operator benefits to this approach.For example, the present invention expands the reach of RTX 102 enabledAVS by allowing users to experience PTT without the need ofpurpose-built PTT handsets. Moreover, the present invention allows PTTusers from multiple networks to be part of a group call.

FIG. 4 is a state diagram that illustrates the operation of a PTT callaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

State 400 represents an MS 120 in a NULL state, i.e., the start of thelogic. A transition out of this state is triggered by a user making arequest to originate a PTT call, or by a request being made to terminatea PTT call at the MS 120. A request to originate a PTT call is normallymade by pressing a PTT button, but may be initiated in this embodimentby dialing some sequence of one or more numbers on the MS 120 that areinterpreted by the RTX 102, by pressing one or more other keys on the MS120 that are interpreted by the RTX 102, by speaking one or morecommands that are interpreted by the VP 400, or by some other means.

State 402 represents an MS 120 in an active group call state. In thisstate, the user receives a chirp tone that indicates that the user maystart talking The user responds by talking on the MS 120. The MS 120uses the reverse traffic channel to send voice frames to the RTX 102,and the RTX 102 switches voice frames only in one direction, i.e., fromtalker to one or more listeners, which ensures the half-duplex operationrequired for a PTT call.

State 404 represents the group “floor” being available to all members ofthe group. When the talking user signals that the floor is released, thefloor is available to all group members. The signal to release the flooris normally made by releasing the PTT button, but may be performed inthis embodiment by voice activity detection, e.g., by not speaking forsome time period (which is interpreted by RTX 102 as a release command).All members of the group receive a “free floor” tone on their MS 120. Auser who requests the floor first (in the “free-floor” state), forexample, is assigned the floor, wherein the network 100 sends a chirptone to the successful user. The signal to request the floor is normallymade by pressing the PTT button, but may be performed in this embodimentby voice activity detection, e.g., by speaking for some time period(which is interpreted by RTX 102 as a request command).

State 406 represents an MS 120 being in an active group call state. Inthis state, the user is listening to the group call. If a non-talkinguser requests the floor in the active group call state, the user doesnot receive any response from the network 100 and remains in the samefunctional state. As noted above, the signal to request the floor isnormally made by pressing the PTT button, but may be performed in thisembodiment by voice activity detection, e.g., by speaking for some timeperiod (which is interpreted by RTX 102 as a request command).

State 408 represents a user receiving an “unsuccessful bidding” tone onhis MS 120, after the user has requested the floor, but was not grantedthe floor, of the group call. The user subsequently listens to the voicemessage of the talking user.

Non-talking users (including the talking user who must release the floorto make it available for others) can request the network 100 to endtheir respective call legs explicitly.

State 410 represents a terminating leg being released from the callafter the user ends the call.

State 412 also represents a terminating leg being released from the callafter the user ends the call.

State 414 represents all terminating legs being released from the callwhen no user makes a request for the within a specified time period, orafter all users have ended their respective call legs.

Voice Short Message Service (SMS)

In the present invention, the RTX 102 interfaces to the wirelesscommunications network 100 to provide a Voice Short Message Service(SMS) message that comprises a short voice message, wherein a user sendsthe Voice SMS message to at least one contact, in a manner similar tosending a short text message, using their mobile unit. The Voice ShortMessage Service (SMS) is a value-added feature that allows a user tosend short voice messages to one or more contacts, in a manner similarto the sending of short text messages, using the click of a button, onthe MS 120.

In one embodiment, the user initiates a call to a Voice SMS numberassociated with the contact, the RTX 102 provides an indication to theuser to start speaking the Voice SMS message, the RTX 102 provides forthe storage of the Voice SMS message, and then the user then ends thecall after completing the Voice SMS message. Thereafter, the contactreceives the text SMS message on their MS 120 indicating that the VoiceSMS message has been sent, the contact dials a callback number for theVoice SMS, and then the contact listens to the Voice SMS message.Finally, the RTX 102 deletes the Voice SMS message after a configuredretention period or in response to a user command.

The benefits to the user of this invention are that it provides a fastand easy messaging mechanism. Moreover, it does away with the typing ofmessages. In addition, there is inherent multiple language support

The benefits to the network operator of this invention is that itprovides a new feature for a large group of users that my not be used totyping SMS messages. Moreover, the attractiveness of voice as amessaging medium enhances network usage. In addition, it grows averagerevenue per user (ARPU) for the operator. Finally, the invention onlyrequires the existing network infrastructure to deploy the service.

Note that, because the information being shared is communicated by SMS,it may comprise any number of different types of data other than justvoice. For example, Voice SMS messages may comprise multimedia SMSmessages (e.g., audio, video, images, data, etc.).

In one embodiment, the Voice SMS feature may use the functionality ofthe Press-to-Message (P2M) service described in co-pending andcommonly-assigned P.C.T. International Patent Application NumberPCT/USO4/23038, filed Jul. 16, 2004, by F. Craig Farrill, Bruce D.Lawler and Krishnakant M. Patel, entitled “PREMIUM VOICE SERVICES FORWIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS,” attorney docket number 154.7-WO-U1,which application is set forth above, and incorporated by referenceherein. The P2M service uses the MMS (Multi Media Services) protocol asthe transport medium. The P2M service delivers multimedia messages(e.g., audio, video, images, data, etc.), known hereafter as P2Mmessages from an originator to one or more recipients.

FIG. 5 illustrates a system architecture for the Voice SMS featureaccording to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Thesystem architecture includes one or more RTXs 102 coupled to a P2Mserver 500, which is (optionally) coupled to a Voice Mail Server 502,wherein the RTX 102 and the P2M Server 500 work together to deliverVoice SMS messages in a non-real time manner from an originator to oneor more recipients, without establishing voice paths between theoriginator and recipients. Recipients may comprise one or more contacts,one or more groups of contacts, or a subset of a group of contacts.

The P2M Server 500 provides a message storage facility for Voice SMSmessages, or may interface to the Voice Mail Server 502 to provide amessage storage facility for the Voice SMS messages. The user can storeVoice SMS messages, retrieve Voice SMS messages, reply to Voice SMSmessages, or forward Voice SMS messages to other subscribers. The P2MServer 500 supports the sending of Voice SMS messages to one or morecontacts, one or more groups of contacts, or a subset of a group ofcontacts.

Address Book Backup

In the present invention, the RTX 102 interfaces to the wirelesscommunications network 100 to perform an “over-the-air” backup of anaddress book stored on an MS 120 via the wireless communications network100 for subsequent storage in a network server separate from the MS 120,wherein the network server may be the RTX 102 it self, or the P2M Server500, or another storage system.

In one embodiment, a client application on the MS 120 detects a changeto the address book stored on the MS 120 unit and automatically uploadsthe address book to the RTX 102. In another embodiment, a clientapplication on the MS 120 performs a periodic backup of the address bookstored on the MS 120 by uploading the address book to the RTX 102. Inboth embodiments, the address book is stored by the RTX 102 on thenetwork server, which may be available to the user via Internet access,such that any changes made to the address book stored on the networkserver can be downloaded by the RTX 102 to the MS 120 via the wirelesscommunications network 100.

Note that such functionality may integrated with the techniquesdescribed in U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/183,516, filedJul. 18, 2005, by Deepankar Biswaas, entitled “VIRTUAL PUSH TO TALK(PTT) AND PUSH TO SHARE (PTS) FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS,”attorney docket number 154.17-US-U1, which application claims thebenefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/588,464 (154.17-US-P1), which applications areincorporated by reference herein. Those techniques include a common datastore for sharing information with members of a group, including a phonebook or address book, where the entries or contact lists may be sharedamong group members or a master phone book can be maintained.

The present invention provides a number of user benefits, including thesafeguarding of address book information against theft, loss or phonedamage. Moreover, the present invention eliminates the need to manuallytransfer address books when the user changes phones. In addition, userscan view and edit the address book online, wherein changes made onlineare synchronized with the MS 120.

The present invention provides a number of network operator benefits aswell. For example, the present invention reassures customers byprotecting valuable information, namely their address books. It also hasthe potential to reduce customer churn.

CONCLUSION

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the inventionhas been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Itis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of theinvention be limited not with this detailed description, but rather bythe claims appended hereto.

1. An apparatus for providing enhanced features for advanced voiceservices in a wireless communications network, comprising: a wirelesscommunications network for making calls to and from mobile units,wherein the calls are initiated by call setup and in-band signalingwithin the wireless communications network and voice frames for thecalls are switched between the mobile units across bearer paths in thewireless communications network; and a real-time exchange thatinterfaces to the wireless communications network to provide a VoiceShort Message Service (SMS) message that comprises a short voicemessage, wherein a user sends the Voice SMS message to at least onecontact, in a manner similar to sending a short text message, usingtheir mobile unit.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the userinitiates a call to a Voice SMS number associated with the contact, thereal-time exchange provides an indication to the user to start speakingthe Voice SMS message, the real-time provides for the storage of theVoice SMS message, and then the user then ends the call after completingthe Voice SMS message.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the contactreceives a text SMS message on their mobile unit indicating that theVoice SMS message has been sent, the contact dials a callback number forthe Voice SMS, and then the contact listens to the Voice SMS message. 4.The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the real-time exchange deletes theVoice SMS message after a configured retention period or in response toa user command.
 5. A method of providing enhanced features for advancedvoice services in a wireless communications network, comprising: makingcalls to and from mobile units in a wireless communications network,wherein the calls are initiated by call setup and in-band signalingwithin the wireless communications network and voice frames for thecalls are switched between the mobile units across bearer paths in thewireless communications network; and providing a Voice Short MessageService (SMS) message that comprises a short voice message using areal-time exchange that interfaces to the wireless communicationsnetwork, wherein a user sends the Voice SMS message to at least onecontact, in a manner similar to sending a short text message, usingtheir mobile unit.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the user initiatesa call to a Voice SMS number associated with the contact, the real-timeexchange provides an indication to the user to start speaking the VoiceSMS message, the real-time provides for the storage of the Voice SMSmessage, and then the user then ends the call after completing the VoiceSMS message.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the contact receives atext SMS message on their mobile unit indicating that the Voice SMSmessage has been sent, the contact dials a callback number for the VoiceSMS, and then the contact listens to the Voice SMS message.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the real-time exchange deletes the Voice SMSmessage after a configured retention period or in response to a usercommand.
 9. An apparatus for providing enhanced features for advancedvoice services in a wireless communications network, comprising: awireless communications network for making calls to and from mobileunits, wherein the calls are initiated by call setup and in-bandsignaling within the wireless communications network and voice framesfor the calls are switched between the mobile units across bearer pathsin the wireless communications network; and a real-time exchange thatinterfaces to the wireless communications network to perform a backup ofan address book stored on a mobile unit via the wireless communicationsnetwork for subsequent storage in a network server separate from themobile unit.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a client applicationon the mobile unit detects a change to the address book stored on themobile unit and automatically uploads the address book to the real-timeexchange.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a client application onthe mobile unit performs a periodic backup of the address book stored onthe mobile unit by uploading the address book to the real-time exchange.12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the address book stored by thereal-time exchange on the network server that is available via Internetaccess, such that any changes made to the address book stored on thenetwork server are downloaded by the real-time exchange to the mobileunit via the wireless communications network.
 13. A method of providingenhanced features for advanced voice services in a wirelesscommunications network, comprising: making calls to and from mobileunits in a wireless communications network, wherein the calls areinitiated by call setup and in-band signaling within the wirelesscommunications network and voice frames for the calls are switchedbetween the mobile units across bearer paths in the wirelesscommunications network; and performing a backup of an address bookstored on a mobile unit via the wireless communications network forsubsequent storage in a network server separate from the mobile unitusing a real-time exchange that interfaces to the wirelesscommunications.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein a client applicationon the mobile unit detects a change to the address book stored on themobile unit and automatically uploads the address book to the real-timeexchange.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein a client application onthe mobile unit performs a periodic backup of the address book stored onthe mobile unit by uploading the address book to the real-time exchange.16. The method of claim 13, wherein the address book stored by thereal-time exchange on the network server that is available via Internetaccess, such that any changes made to the address book stored on thenetwork server are downloaded by the real-time exchange to the mobileunit via the wireless communications network.